1. I have always had a great deal of respect for Stanford as an institution historically. It might be the best overall university in the nation. 2. I find their football and basketball programs to be somewhat of a bore. But I really enjoyed the style of play they exhibited during their era of dominance under Harbaugh and Shaw. True smashmouth old school football with some fine passing creativity sprinkled in. But TV execs and Big Ten presidents don't care about any of this. 3. I think the B1G hanging them out to dry is almost disgraceful. The B1G claims to care about academics, but leaves Stanford, the best private school in the P5 with great non-rev sports to die on the vine. Ditto for the Cal, the top-rated public university. 4. I know the talk is that the "B1G won't leave USC and UCLA on an island" and they will "come back for more later." But I am skeptical about the prospect that the B1G is going to take Stanford. I hope I am wrong about this however.